Freshman LB Jack disrupting aerial attacks for UCLA

LOS ANGELES – With Utah pushing into UCLA territory on its final desperation drive last Thursday night, Utes quarterback Travis Wilson threw to the middle of the field on fourth down, straight into what has become a permanent no-fly zone, thanks to linebacker Myles Jack.

The freshman linebacker snagged the ball with an athletic move in the air, turning and bursting past the Utah offense with ease. Had he not heard UCLA coach Jim Mora screaming for him to go down, Jack is confident he wouldn’t have stopped until the end zone.

Just a few games into his college career, these sort of displays of otherworldly athleticism have become the norm with Jack, who’s growing accustomed to questions about how he does what he does with such ease.

Its his pass coverage that has particularly set him apart though, especially considering the fact he only started working seriously on pass coverage this past summer.

Through UCLA's 4-0 start, Jack leads all FBS linebackers and ranks second in the Pac-12, regardless of position, in passes defensed.

Linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich could notice Jack’s athleticism just a few days into fall camp in San Bernardino, during the unit’s pass coverage drills. Normally, UCLA’s linebackers will go up against slower tight ends and running backs.

But with Jack, “it wasn’t even going to be challenging,” Ulbrich said. So he moved Jack into one-on-one drills with UCLA’s secondary. Within a few weeks, he was consistently winning one-on-one matchups with receivers. And within two months, his coverage skills are already generating buzz about him being the best young linebacker in college football.

Ulbrich, however, still calls him a “blank slate” and assures that there’s much more to come from his standout freshman.

“He has some rare gifts,” Mora said of Jack. “For a man that big to move as quickly and compactly as he does and put his foot in the ground and change directions with as much power and burst as he’s demonstrated, it’s pretty rare.”

“He’s a freak in coverage,” linebacker Eric Kendricks added. “We have to use him for that.”

MCCARTHY OUT

Defensive end Ellis McCarthy missed practice Tuesday because of concussion-like symptoms after being hit in the head late in the Utah game. His status is uncertain going forward, but Mora wouldn’t rule out a return later this week.

“He’s a lot better, but he’s not asymptomatic yet,” Mora said. “You know how I feel about head injuries. We’re just going to play it really safe with that. And we’ll miss him.”

If he’s unable to play, freshman Eddie Vanderdoes will probably get the start, with fellow first-year end Kylie Fitts also rotating in. The lack of depth could affect the Bruins against an up-tempo offense like Cal runs, but UCLA’s backup defensive linemen – especially Vanderdoes – have impressed through four games this season, while Cal’s offensive line has allowed 17 sacks, the most in the Pac-12 and sixth-worst in the nation.

NOTES

Mora brought a crew of officials to UCLA’s practice Tuesday in an effort to cut down on penalties, which have plagued the Bruins since last season. Through four games, UCLA is the third-most penalized team in the country. “I think their presence alone will help,” Mora said of the officials. … Left tackle Torian White had right leg surgery Tuesday morning and was officially ruled out for the regular season. … Running back Jordon James (ankle) is getting better, but chances of him playing on Saturday are unlikely, even though Mora has yet to officially rule him out.